TEAM TENACIOUS: ENDURANCE ATHLETE BEN POPP

What The Team Does and Where It Does It

Endurance Athlete is focused on developing athletes in the Twin Cities and all over the U.S. The team works with athletes for everything from high school ski races to triathlons. Founder and owner, Ben Popp recently completed his first RAAM – a 3,000 mile, nonstop bike race from California to Maryland. It took Popp 11 days to finish. He came in ninth overall and was the third American to cross the finish line. 

Why You Do What You Do

RAAM is touted as the toughest race in the world. As a coach/mentor/educator, Popp sought to demonstrate that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.  “I live by the slogan, the will to win means nothing without the will to prepare,” said Popp.

How Did You and/or Your Team Get Started Doing This?

After getting bit by the endurance bug at age 5, racing bikes, skis, etc. has become a way of life for Popp. And now, through his company Endurance Athlete, Popp is able to inspire and help others experience the joys of training and racing.

What You Like About It

“My job is what I love to do. Pushing the body and mind to new limits can be an amazing experience. Try it sometime!”

How Ergodyne Sponsorship Helps 

“The products Ergodyne supplied me with are fantastic. Having the right tool for the job is essential. Riding at 3 a.m. on three hours of sleep when you’re 2,500 miles into a race is dangerous – crew is tired; race is tired. Staying visible and safe is priority number one; keeping warm during the cold, damp night rides are vital.

“Ergodyne’s CORE® base layers, GloWear® Hi-Vis Apparel and ProFlex® thermal gloves kept my body temperature up and kept me riding all night long in really tough conditions. On the hotter side of things, the desert pavement was 120 degrees Fahrenheit or more, and the Chill-Its ® Cooling Products made it feel like a day at the beach!”